I am writing this article on an EL AL flight back to Israel, having concluded a two-week visit with family and friends. New York – or at least the few parts that I saw – looked the same to me, with one new addition in the frum community that everyone is excited about: The 24 hour “Minyan Factory” which allows you to daven anytime you want. I must admit that these places are extremely convenient and I davened in the “Non-Stop Minyanim” in the Five Towns and also in the brand n

Two unforgettable events exactly 200 years apart… completely different yet magically the same. The “hand” of HaShem is evident in both. Tremendously meaningful, historically earth-shattering, with deep significance to the Jewish people. We need to thank HaShem for both of these miracles: the establishment of the United States of America on July 4, 1776, and the Entebbe hostage rescue on July 4, 1976. Even though I was born and educated in the USA, my teachers spent far more t

I love Haredim. I love their simple way of life and modest living. I love the large families they have, their uncompromising dedication to Torah and the respect they show their elders. I love the people they admire, the music they listen to and the fact that most of them have never heard of Netflix, ESPN or the Knicks. I love their chesed, their simple vacations and their non-extravagant weddings. Yes, this large sector of the Israeli population has its share of problems (who

According to the IDF, 340 women have become widows and 780 children have become orphans since the tragic day known simply as “The 7th of October”. While most of us are trying to put the events of that day and its aftermath behind us, these young people cannot. Their lives have changed and will never be the same. 780 children will not have their father to play with, to learn from or to walk them down the aisle. 340 women lost their soulmate, their best friend and their partner

Everyone is complaining that NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani boycotted yesterday’s Israel Day Parade. The problem, however, is that Mamdani did exactly what 95% of Jews in the Metropolitan area did… stayed away from the parade! How many Jews from Boro Park, Williamsburg, Monsey, Far Rockaway, Flatbush, Lakewood and Passaic attended the parade? Actually, there’s no need to even go to those neighborhoods. How many people from what is known as the Zionistic towns went to the parade? Ou

A lot has been written about addictions and the importance of breaking away from the control it has over one’s life. Addictions have ruined marriages, destroyed families, shattered dreams and turned professional, intelligent people into slaves to their desires. When speaking about addictions, the first thought that comes to mind is drugs and alcohol, but it runs far deeper than that. In today’s modern world, people are addicted to phones, the internet, shopping, gambling, Net

We all love a good story so let me jump right in with a few that should put a smile on your face. These all took place in various bomb shelters (“miklatim”) across Eretz Yisrael in the recent war with Iran. The first story is simple but very sweet. A friend of mine, who davens with me in our morning minyan, is the Rosh Kollel in Nof Yam, a community next to Herziliya. In addition to being a tremendous Talmid Chacham, this Rav is involved in acts of chesed, on a regular basis.

Ask anyone in Israel today about the fate of the hostages and you will receive a puzzled look in return. Hostages? They have all been freed and returned to Israel… what are you talking about? There are no more hostages! The “Bring Them Home” movement worked! Right? Wrong ! I agree that the hostages from October 7 th have been freed/returned and Baruch HaShem for that, but we cannot turn a blind eye to those who have still not returned and – as you read these words – are stil

The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk is still being covered by Israeli news. Articles, pictures and videos have been posted on countless sites and many leaders – including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s Chief Rabbi – expressed their grief over his loss. All this coverage really surprised me since the overwhelming majority of Israelis never heard of him before he was murdered. Good friends of mine, including successful attorneys and businessmen, only discovered who